Inter Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni is under investigation for child prostitution as part of a wider inquiry by the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office into an alleged escort ring, prosecutors confirmed on Thursday.
The 27-year-old Italy international has been summoned to appear before prosecutors on Friday. He is accused of paying for sex with a girl who was 17 years old at the time of the alleged encounter in June 2020. Under Italian law, paid sex with a minor constitutes the crime of child prostitution, which carries serious legal consequences.
Bastoni's lawyer, Salvatore Scuto, issued a firm denial on behalf of his client.
"My client is very shaken," Scuto told prosecutors. "I can rule out that he ever engaged in paid sexual relations, let alone with minors."
According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, the young woman has already been questioned by investigators. While she has admitted to having stayed at Bastoni's home, she denies having had sexual relations with the footballer. The case has drawn significant media attention in Italy, coming as it does against the backdrop of a broader investigation into organized escort activities in the Milan area.
The investigation adds to what has been a turbulent period for the centre-back. Bastoni was sent off during Italy's crucial World Cup qualifying playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Azzurri subsequently losing on penalties and missing out on a third consecutive World Cup. He and his family also faced online abuse following an incident during Inter's match against Juventus on February 14, when Bastoni appeared to dive to get an opposition player sent off.
The Milan Prosecutor's Office has not issued any formal charges at this stage, and the investigation remains ongoing. Bastoni is expected to cooperate fully with the authorities as the judicial process moves forward. No court date has been set.
Sources
- https://apnews.com/article/bastoni-inter-child-prostitution-48efb4ab2e763ce84da2e91acaea87f5
